Check Alaska off your bucket list

If you’ve ever dreamed of visiting Alaska, it’s easy to make those dreams become a reality in under seven hours. This summer, United will offer nonstop flights between Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Fairbanks International Airport (FAI). With daily flights available from June 3 to September 6, planning a trip to Fairbanks has never been easier.

Fairbanks is a vibrant river city in the wilds of Interior Alaska and the region offers an extraordinary view into life in the far north. Whether you come seeking the summer’s everlasting sunshine or, later in the summer, a glimpse of the magical northern lights, we invite you to explore Fairbanks responsibly. 

Come during Midnight Sun Season, April 22 through August 20, and witness the summer sun shining up to 24 hours a day. In fact, from mid-May through mid-July, Fairbanks experiences 70 straight days of sunlight. See sunsets merge with sunrises, watch a glorious garden grow, go on a midnight hike, float down the Chena River or have a late-night dessert on an outdoor deck—the rousing Midnight Sun Season is awesome and energizing.

If chasing the northern lights is more your style, visit Fairbanks during Aurora Season starting on August 21. Fairbanks' location is excellent for northern lights viewing because of its position under the "Auroral Oval"—a ring-shaped zone over the Far North where aurora activity is concentrated. Additionally, Fairbanks' low precipitation and distance from coastal areas contributes to consistently clear nights. All combined, these variables make the Fairbanks region one of the best places on earth to see the northern lights.